Maltese unions' position on working time directive contradicts European stance

The stand of Malta's major trade unions, the General Workers Union and the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, who are currently supporting the government's position of opposing the removal of the 'opt-out' clause from the current EU working time directive, goes against that of their European counterparts.

While the GWU and the UHM say workers should be allowed to work as much overtime as they want, most European trade unions want overtime to be limited in order to have a better work-family balance and a healthier workforce.

These diametrically opposed stances became more evident yesterday when the European Trade Union Council (ETUC), of which both Maltese unions are members, officially rejected the current compromise proposal put forward by the Finnish Presidency because it does not remove the 'opt-out' clause.

In a letter addressed to the Presidency, John Monks, the ETUC's general secretary, explicitly asked the Presidency to "only accept a political agreement in the Council if it also provides for clear language on the phasing out of the individual opt-out".

Mr Monks wrote that the ETUC is very concerned with the current development about this directive.

"We also note your proposals regarding extra requirements on member states that use the opt-out, that it will be regarded as 'exceptional', 'with a view to its gradual ending' and subject to specific monitoring, nationally and at EU level. However, without clear indication when that 'ending' is envisaged these proposals fall currently short."

In his letter, Mr Monks harshly criticises the position being taken by the UK, opposing the end of the 'opt-out' clause.

"The ETUC appreciates too the efforts made by many other governments to pursue an end to the opt-out, but is irritated and offended by the British Government's insistence that this is a liberty issue, not a health and safety one. Relying on a long working hours culture (with attendant low productivity, increasing family problems, etc.) is not the way forward for Europe (or for that matter the UK)," Mr Monks wrote.

Malta's position on this dossier is very similar to the UK and has also been insisting on preserving the 'opt-out' option.

Stalled for over two years due to a blocking minority at EU Council level, led by the UK, the revision of the working-time directive now seems to be about to change following bilateral negotiations between the Finnish Presidency and the member states during the past months. In fact, an extraordinary meeting of EU employment ministers is being held in Brussels on Tuesday to iron out the last outstanding technicalities in a compromise position presented by the Presidency a few weeks ago.

Presidency sources last week told The Times that the revision of the working time directive, regulating the number of hours in the EU should be allowed to work, is now very possible.

According to this new arrangement, member states such as Malta would still be allowed an opt-out of this directive, however workers won't be allowed to work more than 60 hours a week calculated over a reference period of three months. That means a maximum 20 hours' overtime every seven days will be the maximum.

Malta described the latest proposal as a good basis for discussion but is still opposing the proposal due to some minor technical changes that it still wishes to negotiate. However, it will probably find itself in opposition next Tuesday as some member states like Italy are said to be switching their position to vote in favour.